מלכים א, פרק י״ג, פסוק ט׳

A prophet charged with delivering a harsh message to a sinful city must maintain complete separation from the people he warns. By refusing any hospitality, he highlights the strict divine instructions that govern his mission, requiring a total disconnection from the place and its inhabitants, and avoiding any physical pleasure or ongoing acquaintance with them. He clarifies that his refusal is not a personal choice but a direct order, as an angel or a prophetic voice spoke to him in the name of God to establish these rigid boundaries [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The command to avoid all food and water carries deep significance. One perspective suggests this rule is rooted in the principle that a person should not enter a city devoted to idol worship unless the sole purpose is to deliver a warning in God's name. By publicly refusing to eat or drink, the prophet proves to the people that he is there only to deliver his message, with no intention of enjoying their hospitality or lingering in their presence [רד״ק]. Alternatively, this restriction serves as a stark symbolic message. It demonstrates that there is absolutely no benefit or pleasure to be drawn from the locals, as their immense sins have doomed them to eventual destruction [רלב״ג].

Furthermore, the prophet is ordered to leave by a different route than the one he used to arrive. This ensures he will forget the roads and entrances leading into the city, acting as though he never wishes to return [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Another approach views this detour as a tragic symbol. Taking an alternate path suggests that his original journey to Bethel was ultimately futile, as the prophecy he delivered had no real impact in the face of Jeroboam's powerful rebellion [רלב״ג].